‘All teams’ eye seamless gearbox

(GMMf1NET) 'Seamless' gearboxes will soon become commonplace in formula one.

That is the claim of Williams' technical director Sam Michael, who admitted that more than one F1 rival already raced the pioneering technology in 2005.

Williams' seamless 'box will not be ready until later this year, but sources suggested that Renault and McLaren – and possibly Toyota – used variants of continuous-power gearboxes throughout last year.

''I believe all the teams are looking into it,'' Australia's Michael, 34 years old, said.

A seamless transmission is able to change gear without needing to momentarily 'blip' the engine.

It is therefore an advantage both in terms of acceleration but also in reaching high speeds.

Michael continued: ''I think that within twelve months, everyone will be using this technology.''